RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ethical issues in ageing
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 232
OP 234
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.3-3-232
VO 3
IS 3
A1 Frederick F Fenech
YR 2003
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/3/3/232.abstract
AB Population ageing, in both the developed and developing world, has put increasing demands on health resources; this has brought to the fore various ethical issues related to ageing. This paper examines moral issues that confront people as they grow old as well as those who are involved with them. The concepts of autonomy, dignity, justice and intergenerational solidarity are explored. Living wills and the role of a proxy could help to deal with the common ethical dilemmas related to death and dying. Positive action by governments to overcome ageism is recommended. The need to establish ethical guidelines, which take into consideration differences in religion, culture, ethnicity and race, is highlighted.